Differences in The S.A.s

I've spent some time looking over different threads and I noticed there were some differences in what the S.A.s look for during the admission process. I saw on one thread, for example that one of the S.A.s looked more at the basketball throw than another of the S.A.s did. Are there any other differences or hierarchy of importance that seperates the S.A.s with regards to the admission process?

from what ive read(take it for what u want im an applicant to USAFA, USMA, and USCGA) its really all very similar ive always gotten mixed answers from what one SA deems more important so i continue on with the belief that there all almost the same. I mean answer ur question with another question, why would one care about how far u throw a basketball more then the other? that just doesnt seem logical to me but who knows i could be wrong and the navy really cares how far u throw a ball and the army doesnt care about the ball but only care about that shuttle run, haha

For the most part, I would say the S.A's look for many of the same traits, but there definitely are differences in what they look for. For example, I've heard that West Point tends to look a lot more at what you have done sports wise and other physical fitness activities rather than just your CFA score to determine your physical grade. On the other hand, I've heard USAFA relies more on the CFA. Maybe only changes your candidate scores by a few points, but subtle differences are make or break on getting into an academy.

I was accepted to USMA, but denied to USAFA. Maybe I was in a more competitive district for the Air Force than Army. Maybe it's because they grade your scores differently. Who knows. One thing is for sure, the academies are pretty good at keeping their exact formula they use for admissions each year a secret. You can come close on speculation, but never quite spot on.

sjbd94 said:

the navy really cares how far u throw a ball and the army doesnt care about the ball but only care about that shuttle run, haha

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When I applied to USMA and USNA, I had to redo the ball throw for USMA but not USNA, so it's weird I guess

vira said:

When I applied to USMA and USNA, I had to redo the ball throw for USMA but not USNA, so it's weird I guess

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It makes sense to me that the Army would value the ball throw because it equates to throwing a grenade.

Must be why USMA is considering changing the basketball throw to a baseball throw for the grenades. Heard USAFA is thinking about going to paper airplane toss since it will test strength as well as candidates understanding of aerodynamics. Image USNA will never change from basketball since it can be used as a floatation device if a ship sinks.

I guess by the nature of things you're going to get a laundry list of anecdotal responses to your question, since there is to my knowledge no single list comparing all of the SAs.

So here's mine, and take it with a grani of salt because it is based onlly on what I have read elsewhere on this forum: I believe USNA and USMA and USAFA all have slightly different DoDMERB limits, for things like eyesight and certain lab results (blood gases). What those limits are and how they can affect whether you are qualified I don't know. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

bpu got it right.

However, Airmen don't need to know how to throw anything, other than an ejection seat handle. If they ditch in the water, the Navy will give them a free ride in a fast boat, and if they ditch over land, the Army will pick them up in something with tracks on it, but might not have the chance b/c a Marine will get there first and carry all the survivors on his back.

Just putting this stat out here- I got accepted with 0 years of a lettered sport, 55 push ups, 8 pull ups, average shuttle run, but a 88 ft basketball toss.

Sawndog- Aren't you prior elnisted as well? I ask because that does put you into a different category from the majority of candidates, meaning there could be different necessary qualifications (in the military already so that could probably take the place of a high school sport )

On another note, I got a LoA in September with no varsity athletics, only one year of JV wrestling and ok CFA scores (75 push-ups, 18 pull-ups, 9.1 shuttle, 7:06 mile, 65 BB throw, and 54 curl-ups), but I am well aware I got the LoA for the academic side of my transcript as well as my club involvement. Haven't heard a word from USNA however, whereas some of my friends from SLS are in the exact opposite situation (LoA to Naval and nothing from WP). I just wish my MOC's moved faster

sawndog -- prior enlisted are critical to the learning process of the cadets at WP. You may have been cut some slack b/c of the critical role you plan in transferring AD culture to those who have never seen it.